Altrincham Grammar School for Girls 11+ Guide

About Altrincham Grammar School for Girls

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls is a selective secondary school in Greater Manchester. For children to get into Altrincham Grammar School for Girls they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the heart of Cheshire, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls (AGGS) is a beacon of academic excellence and personal growth. As one of England's largest single-sex grammar schools, AGGS has garnered a stellar reputation for its unwavering commitment to nurturing the minds and spirits of young women. With a rich history spanning over a century, this esteemed institution has consistently produced outstanding results at both GCSE and A levels, solidifying its position as a top-performing state school.

At AGGS, the pursuit of knowledge is not confined to the classroom walls. The school's comprehensive curriculum encompasses a wide array of subjects, including mathematics, humanities, sciences, and technology, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education. Beyond academics, AGGS offers an extensive enrichment programme that caters to diverse interests, from ballet and drama to volunteering and outdoor activities. This holistic approach to education fosters the development of essential life skills, empowering girls to navigate the world with confidence and grace.

The vibrant community at AGGS is a testament to the school's dedication to celebrating diversity. The rich tapestry of cultural identities within the student body is embraced and cherished, creating an inclusive and accepting environment where every girl feels valued and supported. The staff at AGGS work tirelessly to meet the individual needs of each student, providing guidance and encouragement as they pursue their passions with determination and grit.

AGGS's commitment to excellence is evident in its impressive academic achievements, with a significant proportion of students attaining top grades in their exams. However, the school's true measure of success lies in the personal and professional growth of its students. By instilling a love for learning and nurturing ambition, AGGS equips young women with the tools they need to thrive in their chosen paths. The strong bonds forged within the school community often lead to lifelong friendships, creating a supportive network that extends far beyond the school gates.

In essence, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls is more than just an educational institution; it is a catalyst for transformation. By providing an outstanding academic foundation, fostering personal development, and celebrating the unique qualities of each individual, AGGS empowers young women to face the world with bravery, faithfulness, and cheerfulness, embodying the school's timeless motto.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Altrincham Grammar School for Girls together with their admissions contact details.

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls is a girls only school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,389 pupils attend Altrincham Grammar School for Girls and it's led by the Principal, Ms Stephanie Gill.

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls for the 2022-23 academic year.

Trafford 11+ Information

In order to get into Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, children need to pass the Trafford 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

Trafford 11+ Subjects & Structure

The Trafford 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• Maths
• Verbal Reasoning
• Non-verbal Reasoning

The entrance examination for Altrincham Grammar School for Girls is known as the Trafford 11 plus. This assessment comprises two papers, each lasting one hour, with a brief interval between them. The papers are presented in a multiple-choice format, evaluating the candidate's abilities across three key areas.

The Maths section assesses the student's mathematical skills, drawing from the Key Stage 2 national curriculum. Verbal Reasoning challenges the applicant to analyze and interpret written information, including reading comprehension tasks. Lastly, Non-verbal Reasoning examines the child's capacity to solve problems using visual cues, such as shapes, diagrams, and pictures.

This comprehensive evaluation aims to identify students with the necessary academic potential to thrive in the challenging educational environment provided by Altrincham Grammar School for Girls.

Other Schools using Trafford 11+

As well as Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, several other schools also use Trafford 11+. These are:

• Altrincham Grammar School for Boys
• Sale Grammar School
• Stretford Grammar School
• Urmston Grammar Academy

Trafford 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Altrincham Grammar School for Girls is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

Trafford 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Trafford 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Trafford 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the Trafford 11+ tests (to get into Altrincham Grammar School for Girls) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Altrincham Grammar School for Girls as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls was last inspected by Ofsted on 11/10/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 04/12/2022, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Ofsted Report Summary

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls was inspected by Ofsted on 11 October 2022 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional performance in the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision.

The inspection report highlights the school's outstanding quality of education, which is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the teaching staff. The school's approach to behaviour and attitudes was also deemed outstanding, creating a positive learning environment that fosters student growth and achievement. Additionally, the school's commitment to personal development was recognized as outstanding, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for future success.

The leadership and management of Altrincham Grammar School for Girls were also rated as outstanding, demonstrating the school's ability to effectively guide and support its staff and students. Finally, the sixth form provision was deemed outstanding, providing students with excellent opportunities for further education and personal growth.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Altrincham Grammar School for Girls per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are all available past 11+ papers for Altrincham Grammar School for Girls. Please note that this may include 11+ past papers, past familiarisation booklets, past practice materials published by third parties and past 11+ exam guides written by the school. These materials are provided 'as-is' and may no longer reflect the subjects, format, structure or exam board that Altrincham Grammar School for Girls currently uses.

The exam board (or test supplier) that Altrincham Grammar School for Girls chooses to use for their 11+ entrance tests can change and we encourage you to check directly with the school.

As well as these past 11+ papers, you may find our 11+ practice papers helpful for your child's preparation.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Trafford 11+ Ensure you double-check with Altrincham Grammar School for Girls which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.